NOYNOY FOR PRESIDENT

“Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanggap ko ang tagubilin ng aking mga magulang. Tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad na ituloy ang laban para sa bayan. Tinatanggap ko ang hamon na mamuno sa laban na ito. Tatakbo po ako sa pagka-pangulo sa darating na halalan
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Benigno Aquino III

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (born February 8, 1960), popularly known as Noynoy Aquino or Benigno S. Aquino III, is a Philippine statesman. The only son of Benigno Aquino, Jr., a Senator imprisoned (and later assassinated), and Aquino's wife Corazon Aquino, who served as President from 1986 to 1992. Aquino was named after his father and his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., a one-time Speaker of the House of Representatives. He is also the brother of TV host and actress Kris Aquino.

Education

Aquino holds a BA in Economics degree from the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University.

Wounded in 1987 coup attempt

Aquino was wounded during the 1987 failed coup attempt against his mother and was almost killed by a grenade. Specifically, on August 28, 1987, rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan attacked the Malacañang Palace. Noynoy was hit by 5 bullets (one is still embedded in his neck), and 3 of his 4 escorts were killed (the fourth was wounded) protecting him.

Political life

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III has always viewed politics as a necessary vehicle for change, a perspective he formed early in life through the examples set by both of his parents.


In 1998, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives and won. He would serve as Congressman of the 2nd District of Tarlac until 2007.


In his nine years at the Lower House, Noynoy focused on the fiscalizing role of a legislator. He felt that there were already too many laws, and good ones at that, but they seemingly lacked proper implementation. He concentrated on crafting laws that would help create opportunity rather than impose additional burdens to those who are already disadvantaged. He actively took part in budget deliberations to ensure that government initiatives do address the plight of the people who need help the most.


His commitment to continue the legacy of his parents was evident in his performance. In November 2004, he became Deputy House Speaker of Luzon, but he relinquished the post when he joined leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) in calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal. To him, it was easier to give up the position than abandon his duty to hold accountable those who do wrong.


In May 2007, he ran for Senator and won, placing 6th in the national elections. He chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government, and is also the vice-chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He had been determined to ensure that his key legislative initiatives would bear fruit and to see them through until the end of his term.


However, fate had other plans for him. The passing of his mother, former President Cory Aquino, stirred a long-dormant yearning for good leadership. Filipinos from all walks of life, here and abroad, began to look at Noynoy as the new hope for a better Philippines. The groundswell calling for him to run for President became too loud to ignore, and eventually overcame his reluctance.


In his letter from prison many years ago, Ninoy said to Noynoy, “Son, the ball is now in your hands.”


Today, the people want the future back into their own hands and Noynoy will not let them down.


His critics say he merely trades on his good name and skeptics consider him a lightweight. Rivals accuse him of wrongdoing despite a clearly unblemished record. Noynoy’s detractors have been busy trying to bring him down, but their efforts have only allowed him to improve his popularity.


Noynoy is an economist by education, a lawmaker by vocation. He is an audiophile, history buff, marksman and self-taught billiards sharpie. He is a loving brother and uncle, and a steadfast friend. He is also destined to be the one to finally lead our country towards a brighter future.


“There is no greater nation than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.” – Ninoy Aquino in a letter to his only son Noynoy





Thursday, September 3, 2009

No money for 2010, Noynoy wants people to fuel campaign

With a limited time and a net worth less than P15 million, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III admits that he won’t be able to launch a successful presidential campaign that will cost him about P3 to 5 billion. But he says that if he finally decides to run for the highest post, he will not campaign the “traditional way."

Just like his mother Corazon Aquino who became president through people power, Noynoy also wants his electoral campaign run and supported by the people through “volunteerism."

“If I am to run a traditional campaign at this point in time, let us not run the campaign anymore, it’s too late. If this is the campaign based on what the people wanted, they will run the campaign…And perhaps at a certain point in time, if we are on the true course then they will provide for the things that…. politicians would have to pay for," he said.

The senator, who had asked for at least a week before coming out with his decision for the 2010 polls, said only the people’s support from the campaign to the governance stage would embolden him to seek for the highest post.

“Mangangahas lang naman ako dito kung ang nakararami ay maninindigan at tutulungan ako (I will only dare push through with this if the majority will take a stand and help me)

“Beyond the campaign, pagdating ba nung governance, eh tapos na kami ha, bahala ka na? Eh di balik na naman tayo sa bahala ka na… makintab na ‘yung bumbunan ko bago ko matapos yung term, at matatagalan yung dapat kalagyan natin," he added.

(Beyond the campaign when we go into actual governance, will the people say their role is finished and it is now up to me? Then it’s ‘to each his own’ again…I’ll have a shiny pate even before I finish my term, and it will take time before we reach our goal.)

In 2001, Noynoy’s declared net worth as Tarlac representative was only P10.4 million, based on government data. After seven years, when he was already at the Senate, Aquino’s declared net worth only increased by 37 percent to P13.9 million. Of the 23 senators, he was ranked 16th, with Sen. Manuel Villar topping the list with a declared net worth of over P1 billion.

In 2004, the declared net worth of Cory’ son was P12.6 million or about one-sixth of the P74.4 million declared net worth of Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo, the son of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Noynoy and Mikey both belong to haciendero families of Tarlac and Negros Occidental, respectively.

Obama way

Liberal Party director-general Jose Luis Martin “Chito" Gascon admits that logistics “will be a big factor" for Noynoy’s presidential bid. Gascon agrees with Noynoy that the campaign should be done through a “non-conventional" way.

“Lahat ng mga nanawagan na ‘Noy, ikaw na,’ they have to step up, katulad ng kay (Barack) Obama, ordinary citizens were contributing. Dapat ganoon ang mangyari (All of those who are calling for Nonoy to take charge, they have to step up, just like what was done during the campaign for Obama, ordinary citizens were contributing)," Gascon told GMANews.TV.

He said that if the country has 50 million voters and 25 million of them would contribute P100 for Nonoy’s campaign kitty, “it will go a long way."

“This is a fight for change, not just for Noynoy’s candidacy. It’s like during the time of Cory when people were fighting for the restoration of democracy," said Gascon.

There are now at least 1,000 groups "with members of five, ten, twenty or more individuals" outside of LP who are campaigning for Noynoy’s presidential bid, based on Gascon’s estimate.

Clean money

Rico E. Puno, Noynoy’s consultant, told GMANews.TV in another interview that the senator was also talking with his sisters about the issue on campaign funds. He said Noynoy’s sisters also wanted to be sure that if their brother would seek the highest post, the donations he would receive for the campaign “will be clean."

“During the senatorial and congressional campaigns for Noynoy there were many people who wanted to donate funds, but his sisters were so meticulous on whose donations to receive and not to receive," Puno said.

“Noynoy’s sisters are in-charge of money matters, making sure that if Noynoy accepts donations, there will be no quid pro quo later," he added. - GMANews.TV
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